Making Tipi Cover

[@denasewell]

@17:07 I helped a friend of mine make a teepee and I used 4oz leather strip to sandwich the lacing peg holes as she was living in the teepee year round .we also made a wool liner for winter .........I wish I had seen this video beforehand I know I could have made improvements but after 5 years her teepee is still in pretty good shape .she has cleaned it and added a marine waterproofing which helped with mold at the bottom and she built a platform with a rocket mass stove under the floor it is unbelievable how warm her teepee it in the winter. Such a great tutorial that is easy to understand!Thanks so much!

[@kerricorser4562]

Wool liner...smart

[@desertpermaculture-thar1726]

that's called sharing of wisdom, so many years experience. i am thankful to u sir

[@donaldporta]

you are welcome!

[@kerricorser4562]

Omg this is like gold to me right now. Thank you! Sewing a 21 ft Crow-style cover on a 1955 singer at the present time so your video was fun to come across lol. I am about to cut smoke flaps now so your info help cover more than Laubin's book. I just finished 3 sets of 9ft liners too. Nice bias facing on the door. I've seen chisels used to open the pin holes. Button hole stitching was nice too! Great job! (If you need poles Jeff Iverson from Noisy Creek in Wisonsin can help!)

[@donaldporta]

Wonderful!

[@ebendewd3433]

Exactly what I needed. Gonna attempt to build a cold weather tipi in Alaska. Here we go. Lol

[@tedlang6770]

Hey there, I built one out in Big lake last year. How did your's turn out if you did?

[@kathygrin1072]

You are very wise. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@migelikali7265]

P.S. I've watched this video nearly a dozen times because it fascinates me Peace to you always Brother

[@cookingspy]

Thank you for doing this video

[@cagedraptor]

two thing I enjoy about this video. One is that I truly love being outdoors and two you're doing it in a dojo, another lifelong love of mine is martial arts. My channel, itself, is a place where I share these two loves outdoors adventure and martial arts.

[@donaldporta]

Right on!

[@michaelwolf8781]

Thanks for sharing. Thinking of making a tipi. I like canvas. it’s proven to make the best tents.

[@donaldporta]

Go for it!

[@loafandjug321]

It is the *Rex Kwon Do* dojo?

[@Mechman0925]

Donald, it would be great if you could go more into the construction and final photos of it set up. I see the video was made around 2019, so its been a while and may be to late for more discussion. Your video is very helpful, more so than any others on KZbin. I am primarily working from Laubins and Linda Holley's books but so much is lost in documentation, mistakes, lack of details, etc. Plus as a newbie on a sewing machine, the knowledge of different seams and nomenclature makes it all more of a challenge, initially looking at a photo of a tipi it looked pretty simple! I am going to make a 16' Sioux style tipi out of #12 / 11.5 oz. canvas from Big Duck canvas, tek70 thread. I am using a 36" panel for the top/ front, then (2) 72" panels, then a 60" panel at the bottom. In the succesful completion of it Id like to create instructions of my own to share, possibly make a tipi or two for friends, but more so, accurate drawings (Autocad) and more details for the layman such as myself. To me the knowledge is whats important. You can buy tipi's already made and shipped to your home, ( if you have $3000/$5000) laying around but that does nothing for the understanding and perpetuation of what I consider a mastery of design. Thanks again for your video and time doing it. Robert

[@kasiapicur]

Beautiful video thank you for sharing

[@donaldporta]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@normdickson2438]

Cool thank you

[@OddBall1958]

Great video! You're a great teacher. Will you also do a video on making the inner liner and an Ozan? Can't wait for the next video. I'm going to make one using your methods. Thanks and keep up the great work.

[@donaldporta]

I will post the other parts when edited

[@joannerosette752]

beautiful we decided to make our own here in the community , and this will be very helpful i made one years ago but need a refresher to reproduce and its impossible to find directions on length ,, how much fabric etc...

[@jerrycampbell5506]

Good job. I have been working on a design myself and it’s nice to see someone do one similar. Have you set it up? Are you going to do a video of the set up. Awesome paintings also.

[@bobswoodlandadventures5722]

Very nice! What is the circumference of the tipi and what is the diameter inside?

[@irishspiritedgal]

Nice project! Will you paint any of it? creativity is endless and “mistakes” can be even better! 😊

[@chefdlturner9056]

Would a 20 ft by 20 ft military water proof tarp work for this. Thank you

[@richardbell5415]

What is the best material for the dry heat of west texas desert looking to build a 26' tipi but cant seem to find plans do you kno of any good books

[@docnez8562]

Where’d you learn this?

[@johnbenoit4404]

I'm also from the nation of Atakapa in Southwest Louisiana along the Mermentau River.

[@johnbenoit4404]

Could you give me the footage of the poles I need to cut? And also do I have to cure my poles and can you explain how if so?

[@donaldporta]

I and using 24 foot poles, this is the maximum length that I can legally transport on mu car. that is--- 3 foot extending over the front bumper and 6 feet over the back bumper, car being 15 foot long, that makes 24 feet. I am using bamboo poles because of light weight to transport. I still have to season the poles. with bamboo they are lashed together and dried inside if possible and out of the sun. Traditionally poles are dried by setting up the Tipi framework to expose all sides evenly. If poles have a bend, that bend is placed outward in the Tipi framework with the skin over and with time those poles will straighten, Don

[@kerricorser4562]

If you cut balsam they dry for a few weeks after peeling before oilng. Peel immediately and never leave on the ground with bark on the borer beetles will eat them! I Iost poles on my first harvest because I piled on the ground. I had to wait for a trailer to transport and it was not a week before they were eaten

[@migelikali7265]

Don, I know it's been a while since you posted this video, but I sure could use some insight if you don't mind. Trying to figure out how long and wide the first tongue was before you added the tie strips. Should the tongue length & width increase with a bigger size Tipi ? I'm making my very first Tipi (20' Dia.) using your method, because I think it's as close to authentic as I can get in modern times - I simply love your design and methods. Also, I'm a little stuck on the Cheyenne Extension, the drawing shows |10| but I'm a little confused as to what that means. Is it just a stitch pin extension with reinforcement ? I would very much like to talk with you if it's at all possible, I'm building this for a meeting house for our Grand Fire Council for the Aniyvwiya nation (known by treaty as Cherokee nation of Indians). Sure could use your help brother. I just acquired two industrial leather sewing machines (Consew & Juki - vintage versions) and this Tipi with be my very first project ever on a sewing machine and I don't want to screw it up. Thank You for your consideration We appreciate your keeping the first nations culture alive!

[@donaldporta]

get online and find this book--- published in 1957. great reference! the Indian tipi, by Reginald & Gladys Laubin. the Cheyenne extension helps keep weather out when flaps are used. it is 10 inches.

[@migelikali7265]

Thank You very much I was hoping for a little more detail but I'll take what I can get. Thnaks for the book reference. Can you/will you tell me how long and wide the tongue should be for a 20 footer or if it even matters ? And what the Radius was for th one you built in the video ? @@donaldporta

[@imogenesegars5461]

Love the video. I see that you use bamboo poles 25’ long. How many and what size did you use please and can you use them without drying while they are still green. Thank you so much.

[@donaldporta]

15 for the tipi 2 for the smoke flaps. you can use the green poles but turn them often to keep them fron drying with a bend in them.

[@jerrymosley4362]

Hey my friend! I’ll give you 25 dollars for that machine! Just kidding what model is it? And love your skills! Hope my teepee comes out half as good but think I’m going to start on a bakers tent first something smaller. Great video!

[@sharonmartin9117]

Do you have dimensions of entire pattern?

[@noahriding5780]

I wanted to ask if paint store drop cloth is strong enough to make tipis with? This material is a bit cheapter than normal canvas. But I'm not sure if its as durable? Thank you.

[@donaldporta]

I think it will work fine,

[@riippumato]

Hello 🙏 did you finish the tipi and does it work? 😊 Im planning of making a tipi myself.

[@donaldporta]

Yes I did. and took it to a weekend conference here in Florida, and was an amazing hit at the gathering!

[@DarylSinclair]

How can I order one and how much for 20 foot

[@bamboodoo]

Hey Don, thank you for the video. What type of thread do you use? Is it polyester or cotton? Thanks!

[@donaldporta]

I think it is a polyester--- it is thread that is sold for the canvas and is uv and weather resist.

[@kasiapicur]

Look in his pull down bar he has the link to the thread and material used

[@Mechman0925]

What make/model sewing machine are you using?

[@donaldporta]

Singer

[@nelljamina419]

Can I ask more about the material? I've found some waterproof fabric but worried about its fireproof qualities.

[@donaldporta]

my same concern--- mine is not fire proof. I will not go to sleep with a fire and I watch the fire very closely.

[@cheryldenkins1597]

My daughter and I are planning a tipi. We have bought used cotton tarps ( tarps used to cover large bales of cotton in the field). They are 32'x7' , with a 40" drop on each side. We figure 3 should be enough for each tipi. My question is, how many yards of thread will I need per tipi? Did that one big spool do one? Or are multiple spools needed? Thank you for this video.

[@donaldporta]

one large spool will work.

[@cheryldenkins1597]

@@donaldporta thank you.

[@cheryldenkins1597]

Hi, I have another question please. We have cut black locust for tent stakes. My question is how long do the stakes need to be?

[@donaldporta]

I make mine 12 to 18 inches long. the black locust was a good choice!

[@cheryldenkins1597]

@@donaldporta thank you. We're on 10 acres and are using what we have. Thank you for the quick response. I think I'll do the pins out of the black locust too.

[@talberttipton8269]

How do you calculate the leather needed to cover a Tipi

[@donaldporta]

1/2 times the diameter times pi. then add 10 percent for waste and flaps.

[@KSuarez-hp4vw]

Do you think this canvas would whithstand a winter in the north east?

[@donaldporta]

yes

[@timothylongmore7325]

I bought a large canvas from Chicago canvas company out of portland. Amazon or ebay , I don't remember. Its like 16 x 20. It's tan color though ( which I like) , like animal skin. It is not one solid piece and not quite large enough for my teepee but will save me a bunch of sewing. I think it is 10 oz canvas. I used it on a roofing job last winter. Northern NY state. It survived at least 3 wind storms and our normal lake effect snow. Highly recommend this material. I will document the construction of my teepee next spring hopefully.

[@tracymartin3398]

What size tp and what are the exact measurements I need to start is it 32×19

[@donaldporta]

19 dia by 19 height

[@nathanielbarton4377]

How long and why is each separate piece?

[@donaldporta]

60 inch wide and length varied to it's position in the cover

[@debradevine3949]

How do you determine the first arc?

[@donaldporta]

It is a semi circle, at 19 feet radius. A small tipi will just be sized to your material.

[@debradevine3949]

@@donaldporta thank you. I just measured from the top to were I wanted the canvas to stop and I used that measurement to draw out radious. It actually worked! This is my first attempt. It is 10f high and 8 feet inside. Your video really helped.

[@blackwoods5380]

Where did you get the fabric that large from? I can't find any bigger than 182cm wide.

[@donaldporta]

there is a link with the description at the intro of the video. I bought it from Amazon.

[@EdwardHurst2323]

Why don’t people just invest in a army parachute it’s rain resistant and two together makes it incredibly difficult for water to enter

[@EdwardHurst2323]

Why don’t people just invest in a army parachute it’s rain resistant and two together makes it incredibly difficult for water to enter